October 17, 2009

A New Service for Veterans in Liberal

Ed Poley has started a new center in Liberal for veterans, their families and first responders. He is a veteran himself and was Director of our SouthWestern Technical School until recently when he retired and took on a new career and a new challenge.

He has opened an office called The Whirlwind Center to serve veterans and families with counseling and career guidance. Too many of our veterans come home suffering with PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome) which can ruin their lives here if they do not get help. The help for PTSD through the VA is a long way from Liberal which is part of the reason Ed decided he would open a center to offer local help. He is doing this on his own and I commend him for it. He has raised money to open the office and is seeing people now to begin helping them get back into society.

From his own proposal to start this center I quote:"In order to entice these young people to seek assistance,we first must create a relaxed atmosphere where they truly believe they will be listened to and believed. Second, the individual working with the clients must be someone to whom they can relate, someone who has "walked in their boots".

I can tell you Ed has walked in their boots and has many skills to make this a success in Liberal. My hat is off to Ed Poley and please support his efforts and use his services if needed. You may not need his help directly but tell your friends and help Ed make this a model clinic for veterans that might spread far beyond Liberal.

Comments

Hi Doctor Bob. I would like to say thank you to Ed Poley. As the wife of a Firefighter/EMT I believe this is crucial for them! I am so glad someone finally realized the need for these men and women to have a place to talk about things they have seen and may be having a hard time dealing with.